Helotes Family Law Attorney
Legal issues that affect your San Antonio family are some of the toughest and most emotional issues to face. Whether you’re considering divorce or have issues with child custody, child support, or other family matters, you need an experienced San Antonio family law attorney to help protect your rights and increase your chances of getting the favorable outcomes you seek.
Here at Fiegel Law, we understand the stress of dealing with family law issues, and we promise to provide compassionate, personalized representation that focuses on helping you achieve your goals while considering the best interests of you and your children.
Along with family law, our firm handles a variety of other legal areas, such as criminal defense, civil litigation, probate litigation, and more. In short, if you have a legal issue that affects your family, your life, and your future, we can help.
Contact us today to request a confidential consultation from an experienced San Antonio family law attorney and discover how we can help you get the positive results you deserve for the pressing legal issues impacting you and your family.
Your Divorce Lawyer in Helotes
Experienced attorney Beauregard (Beau) Fiegel founded our law firm with a mission to provide the highest level of counsel and support to families and individuals facing tough and complex legal challenges. Beau graduated from Saint Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio in the top third of his 2010 class. He is highly respected by colleagues as well as judges and has maintained a distinguished reputation for his work in family law. Beau is indeed known for his work in divorce litigation and custody litigation and is often sought after for his reputation in father’s custody rights. Whether the situation calls for a settlement negotiation or the courtroom, Attorney Fiegel is prepared for both. Additionally, he can help clients who have needs involving civil and criminal litigation, including criminal defense, personal injury, and estate law.
Our Practice Areas
Fiegel Law provides exceptional representation to clients with family law needs and other serious matters. We routinely handle the following types of cases:
Helotes Divorce
Divorce can be an extremely stressful and difficult time in a person’s life. It can involve complex issues of dividing retirement accounts, real estate, and businesses, handling claims of reimbursement, fraud against the estate, and dividing debt. These complex issues are exacerbated by the significant emotional stakes involved when dealing with issues of adultery or abuse. Navigating this area requires a broad knowledge of all the areas involved while having the creativity to negotiate and/or litigate in a manner that addresses all the above concerns. This becomes more complex when children are involved in the divorce. It’s imperative you contact an experienced Helotes Divorce attorney for help.
Helotes Custody
Fights involving custody are some of the most litigious and emotional in all areas of the law. In Texas, it is required to address conservatorship, possession and access, child support, medical support, and dental support in any custody case. Conservatorship addresses who gets to make decisions regarding the child/children including the major issues of geographic restrictions. Possession and access refer to the time and schedule each parent spends with their child. Child, medical, and dental support are exactly as they sound. Unfortunately, many family lawyers will give baseline advice and just recommend the ‘standard language’ of standard possession, primary, and guideline child support. The reality is the law is far more flexible and an experienced litigator can achieve much better and much more targeted results to meet the needs of individual clients. Speak with a Helotes Custody lawyer about your case.
Helotes Decree Enforcement
Divorce decrees and custody orders mean nothing if they aren’t enforced. Whether you’re dealing with child support, possession and access, or property division issues, it is critical that you can go to court and get actual relief if the orders aren’t being followed. Enforcements can be challenging as they often require personal service. Additionally, the courts take holding persons in contempt very seriously and require precision with pleadings and presentations of evidence. A Helotes Decree Enforcement attorney must be fully prepared when going to court and addressing enforcement claims.
Helotes Military Family Law
Military divorces and military custody cases present even more challenges than their civil counterparts. Litigating divorces involving service members requires an understanding of military benefits such as retirements, TSP accounts, and insurance. Military custody cases require knowledge of how service members are compensated including BAH and BAS. Furthermore, they require a deep knowledge of how deployments and PCS assignments work when dealing with conservatorship and possession and access to the children. Service members sacrifice their time and lives for our freedom and deserve the highest standard of legal advice when they’re going through the difficult experiences of divorce or custody litigation. A Helotes Military Divorce Lawyer from Fiegel Law offers unmatched representation for your military family law issues.
Helotes Contracts Litigation
Contract disputes or debt collection requires a competent understanding of contract formation as well as what constitutes a breach. Sometimes, the dispute is over the validity of the contract. Other times, there is a dispute as to what the substance of the contract actually is or whether there was a breach of contract at all. In any instance, this area requires tedious attention to detail along with courtroom litigation skills. Contact a Helotes Contract Litigation Lawyer for advice and counsel regarding your contract or debt collection issues.
Helotes DTPA Cases
The Deceptive Trade Practices Act, or DTPA, is a statute in Texas that protects consumers from predatory or incompetent business practices. The law allows, in some circumstances, for the consumer to get ‘treble’ or three times their damages and attorney’s fees. This is a great option in circumstances where the damages from the business’s behavior are relatively low and priced out by the cost of litigation. However, the law is complex, so you need a Helotes DTPA Cases Lawyer for counsel and guidance.
Helotes Real Estate Law
Whether drafting deeds, interpreting deeds, buying or selling real estate, litigating boundary disputes, handling foreclosures or landlord/tenant disputes, real estate is a specialized area of law that requires significant attention to detail as well as a strong ability to negotiate and communicate with banks, courts, and opposing parties. The laws as well as zoning regulations are often complex and interact in ways that can create major headaches for business owners or residential property owners. If you’re buying or selling a property in Helotes, contact a Helotes Real Estate Law Lawyer for help protecting your rights and interests.
Helotes Personal Injury
Whether you suffered injuries in a car wreck, slip and fall accident, or some other incident someone else’s negligence caused in Helotes, it’s necessary to have an attorney deal with the insurance companies and defendant’s legal counsel. The best results in this area of law come when the defendants and their attorneys know your attorney is willing to take the fight to court and doesn’t back down in negotiations. Too often, unfortunately, people take smaller settlements because the other side knows that they’re too afraid to tee the case up and get in front of a jury. You need a strong litigator willing to take the case to court if/when necessary. Reach out to a Helotes Personal Injury Lawyer at Fiegel Law for help.
Helotes Guardianships
Guardianships occur in the event an adult is ‘incapacitated’ under the probate code and needs full-time care or monitoring. A person can be appointed guardian of ‘the person’ or guardian of ‘the estate’ or both. In order to practice guardianship law, the attorney is required to have additional CLE (continuing legal education) training and get a specific certificate from the State Bar of Texas permitting them to handle guardianships in Court. To be a guardian, you have to meet specific criteria and get a certification as well. A Helotes Guardianship Lawyer from Fiegel Law has the necessary qualifications to help you with your guardianship needs.
Helotes Small Estates
In many instances, a person dies with little to no property and without a will. This still requires some probate process to allow the beneficiaries and loved ones to dispose of bank accounts, real estate, motor vehicles, and retirement account benefits. In these instances, it is often possible to use a ‘small estate affidavit.’ The advantage of this is it can often be a cheaper and faster way to get a disposition of the estate. The disadvantage is that it requires the agreement of all potential beneficiaries. Speak with a Helotes Small Estate Lawyer today for assistance and counsel.
Helotes Probate of Will
If someone dies with a will, their will must be ‘probated’ in court to obtain ‘letters testamentary’ for the appointed executor of the will to distribute the assets. This can be simple if all the beneficiaries agree. Oftentimes, however, they don’t agree, and there are questions of the will’s validity, questions of fraud or coercion. Significant litigation can ensue in these instances, and it’s critical when addressing wills to understand what is and what is not part of the decedent’s (the person who passed away) estate. Some bank accounts, retirement accounts, and/or insurance benefits are passed directly and are not part of the probate matter. Additionally, a competent understanding of family law is required especially when dealing with property that may or may not be community property with a surviving spouse. A Helotes Probate of Will Lawyer from Fiegel Law can assist with all aspects of the probate process, including probate litigation.
Helotes Intestate Succession
If someone dies without a will, then the law requires an ‘intestate proceeding’ to take place to distribute the decedent’s assets. This requires an ‘heirship’ proceeding to determine who the heirs actually are. After that, an administrator needs to be appointed, either independent or dependent. The law has a formula to specifically allocate to whom the property is distributed between surviving spouses, children, and other potential heirs. Contact a Helotes Intestate Succession Lawyer for help.
Helotes DWI/Intoxication Offenses
DWIs and other intoxication offenses require the in-depth legal knowledge and skills of an experienced attorney. The police and district attorney’s office often rely on field sobriety tests, breath tests, and blood tests to attempt to prove intoxication. The science behind these tests is suspect at best. They also require precise execution to be somewhat reliable or accurate. It’s important your Helotes DWI and Intoxication Offense Lawyer has the knowledge and background to combat these tests and either have them prohibited from being admitted as evidence or be able to aggressively attack their credibility in a trial.
Helotes Felonies
Felonies are defined as crimes that can be punished over a year in the Texas Department of Corrections. A conviction for a felony can prohibit you from owning a firearm and from voting. Additionally, a felony conviction can make applications for jobs or apartments exceedingly difficult. As the stakes of a felony conviction are so high, you must have aggressive and competent representation from a Helotes Felonies Lawyer if you find yourself charged with a felony offense.
Helotes Family Violence
If you are charged with a crime that has the words ‘family violence’ in the title, you need to be very careful how that case is handled. Every crime with ‘family violence’ in the title has the possibility of the court giving you a ‘finding of family violence.’ If you were to get such a finding, there would be severe repercussions. First, it will prohibit you from owning a firearm for the rest of your life. Second, it creates significant hurdles if you are ever in a custody proceeding in a family court. Finally, it can be used as an enhancement if you were ever charged with family violence again. Many plea bargains include ‘findings of family violence,’ but these implications and/or consequences are never explained to the defendant/client. AHelotes Family Violence Lawyer from Fiegel Law will explain how such charges may impact your life and fight hard to protect your rights and preserve your liberties.
Helotes Expunctions/Non-Disclosures
After a criminal proceeding is concluded, whether a trial, plea bargain, or dismissal, the charge remains on your record. You could still have trouble passing background checks for employment or obtaining housing or professional licenses. In some circumstances, you can be eligible for non-disclosure orders or expunctions, which can limit or even erase the information regarding your prior arrest. Contact a Helotes Expunctions/Non-Disclosures Lawyer from Fiegel Law to find out more.
Our Helotes Office Location
Fiegel Law’s headquarters (Divorce Lawyer SA) is located at the following address:
12274 Bandera Road, STE 104
Helotes, Texas 78023
Feel free to drop by our law office to discuss your case with a qualified, experienced family law attorney. You can also contact us by phone at (210) 699-7291 or online to set up an appointment to speak with us.
How Can a Helotes Family Law Attorney Help Me?
A Family Law Attorney can offer significant assistance in various family-related legal proceedings. They play an essential role in ensuring that your interests and rights are protected. Here are some ways they can help you:
- Divorce Proceedings: Handling a divorce can be complex and emotionally draining. A Family Law Attorney can guide you through the process, offering legal advice and representation to ensure fair outcomes.
- Child Custody & Visitation Rights: These are often the most contentious parts of a divorce. An experienced attorney can help negotiate custody arrangements and visitation schedules that prioritize the best interests of the child.
- Property Division: In the event of a divorce, dividing up marital property can be complicated. A Family Law Attorney can help ensure that the division is equitable.
- Spousal Support/Alimony: If you’re entitled to spousal support or obliged to pay alimony, your attorney can help you understand your rights and responsibilities.
- Pre-nuptial & Post-nuptial Agreements: These agreements determine how assets will be divided should a marriage end. An attorney can provide advice on crafting these agreements.
- Domestic Violence: If you’re a victim of domestic violence, a Family Law Attorney can help you take the necessary legal steps to protect yourself.
Remember, hiring a qualified family law attorney can greatly enhance your ability to achieve a successful result in any family law issue. It’s vital to hire someone experienced in handling complexities associated with family law such as Beau Fiegel and the legal professionals at Fiegel Law.
How Long Does It Take to Resolve a Family Law Case in Helotes?
The duration of a family law case can vary greatly depending on the nature and complexity of the case. Here are some general timelines for different types of family law cases:
- Divorce: Texas law states that a court can’t enter a divorce decree until 60 days after the divorce petition was filed. After this initial “cooling off” period, an uncontested divorce, where both parties agree on all terms, can be finalized in as little as one day, but they usually take longer. The average time for uncontested divorces in Texas is between 61 and 90 days. However, contested divorces, where there are disputes over issues like child custody or property division, can take anywhere from six months to several years.
- Child Custody: If it’s part of a divorce proceeding, it may take the same amount of time as the divorce itself. Standalone custody cases can take a few months to a year if they’re contested.
- Guardianship: Establishing guardianship can take a few weeks to several months, depending on the urgency and complexity of the situation.
- Domestic Violence Cases: These cases often move quickly due to their serious nature. A temporary protective order can be issued within a few days, while a permanent order may take a few weeks or months.
- Modification of Orders: Modifying existing court orders, such as those for child support or custody, can take a few months to a year, depending on whether the modification is contested.
Remember, these are just estimates and every case is unique. Factors such as court availability, the cooperation of both parties, and the attorney’s schedule can also affect the timeline. Always consult with your attorney for a more accurate timeline based on your specific circumstances.
What Are the Divorce Requirements in Texas?
In order to file for a divorce in Texas, you must meet certain requirements. Here are the key points:
Residency Requirement
At least one spouse must have been a resident of Texas for a minimum of six months prior to filing. Additionally, at least one spouse must have resided in the county where the divorce is being filed for at least 90 days.
Grounds for Divorce
Texas recognizes both fault and no-fault grounds for divorce. No-fault means that neither party is claiming the other is to blame for the end of the marriage. Fault grounds include cruelty, adultery, conviction of a felony, abandonment, living apart for at least three years, or confinement to a mental hospital.
Waiting Period
As mentioned previously, there is a mandatory 60-day waiting period from the date the divorce is filed until it can be finalized. However, if there’s domestic violence or a protective order involved, the court may waive this requirement.
Property Division
Texas is a community property state, which means all assets acquired during the marriage are considered jointly owned and should be divided equitably (not necessarily equally) upon divorce.
Child Custody & Support
If children are involved, decisions regarding custody, visitation, and child support must be made. The court will prioritize the best interests of the child in these decisions.
Spousal Support
In some cases, one spouse may be required to provide financial support to the other after the divorce. This depends on various factors such as the length of the marriage, the earning capacity of each spouse, and whether one spouse has custody of a child who requires special care.
For specific advice concerning your divorce in San Antonio, consult with a family law attorney at Fiegel Law to understand your rights and responsibilities.
What’s the Difference Between a Contested and Uncontested Divorce in Helotes?
Understanding the difference between a contested and an uncontested divorce can help you navigate the process more effectively. Here’s what you need to know:
Uncontested Divorce
An uncontested divorce is when both spouses agree on all aspects of the divorce, including but not limited to:
- Division of property, assets, and debts
- Child custody and visitation rights
- Child support and alimony payments
In an uncontested divorce, the process is typically quicker, less expensive, and less stressful as there are no disputes to be resolved in court. The couple may not even need to appear in court if they can submit all the necessary paperwork correctly.
Contested Divorce
A contested divorce, on the other hand, is when the spouses cannot agree on one or more key issues. These disagreements could be about:
- How to divide property and debts
- Who gets custody of the children
- How much child support or alimony should be paid
In a contested divorce, each spouse will likely hire an attorney to represent their interests. The process involves negotiations, and if a settlement cannot be reached, the case will go to trial. As a result, contested divorces are usually more time-consuming, more expensive, and can be emotionally draining.
It’s important to note that even if a divorce starts out as contested, it doesn’t mean it will end up in court. Many cases are settled through mediation or negotiation before reaching that point. However, it’s crucial to have legal representation to ensure your interests are protected, whether your divorce is contested or uncontested.
What Is Divorce Mediation in Texas?
Divorce mediation is a process where a neutral third party, known as a mediator, helps divorcing couples reach an agreement on various aspects of their divorce. The goal is to facilitate communication and negotiation so that both parties can resolve their issues amicably.
Here’s what you need to know about divorce mediation in Texas:
- Voluntary Process: Mediation is typically a voluntary process, although a judge may order it in some cases. It allows both parties to have control over the outcome rather than leaving decisions up to the court.
- Confidentiality: Everything discussed during mediation is confidential and cannot be used later in court if the mediation doesn’t result in an agreement.
- Issues Addressed: Mediation can cover all aspects of a divorce, including property division, child custody, visitation rights, child support, and alimony.
- Role of the Mediator: The mediator does not make decisions or impose solutions. Instead, they facilitate discussions, help clarify issues, and guide the couple toward mutually beneficial agreements.
- Legal Representation: Although the mediator can provide legal information, they cannot give legal advice. Therefore, each spouse may still want to have their own attorney present during mediation to ensure their interests are protected.
- Cost-Effective & Time-Saving: Mediation can often be less expensive and quicker than going to trial, as it avoids lengthy court proceedings.
- Agreement & Finalization: If the parties reach an agreement, the mediator will draft a document outlining the terms. This agreement is then submitted to the court for approval. If approved, it becomes a legally binding divorce decree.
Remember, while mediation can be a helpful tool in many divorces, it may not be suitable for all situations, especially in cases involving domestic violence or power imbalances between spouses. Consult a family law attorney from Fiegel Law today to discuss how mediation can help you resolve issues with your San Antonio divorce.
Can I Modify Family-Related Court Orders or Agreements Once They’ve Been Finalized in Helotes?
Yes, family-related court orders or agreements can often be modified after they are in place. However, there are certain conditions that must be met for a modification to be considered by the court. Here’s what you need to know:
- Change in Circumstances: Generally, to modify an existing order or agreement, there must be a significant change in circumstances. This could include changes in income, relocation, changes in the child’s needs, or other major life events.
- Best Interests of the Child: In cases involving child custody or visitation rights, any modifications must serve the best interests of the child. The court will consider factors such as the child’s age, health, emotional ties, and adjustment to home, school, and community.
- Mutual Agreement: If both parties agree to the changes, the process of modifying the order or agreement can be relatively straightforward. The new agreement will still need to be approved by the court.
- Spousal Support/Alimony: Modifications to spousal support orders depend on the terms of the original order. Some orders may not be modifiable. It’s important to consult with an attorney to understand your options.
- Legal Process: To modify an order or agreement, you’ll typically need to file a motion with the court that issued the original order. It’s advisable to have legal representation during this process to ensure your interests are protected.
While it is possible to modify family-related court orders or agreements, the process can be complex. Consult a family law attorney at Fiegel Law to understand the requirements and implications of seeking a modification and to get help navigating the process.
What Can I Expect During My Initial Consultation with Fiegel Law?
Your initial consultation with Fiegel Law is an opportunity for you to understand your legal situation better and explore how the firm can assist you. Here’s what you can expect during this meeting:
- Discussion of Your Case: The attorney will ask about your situation to understand the facts and circumstances. This could involve questions about your marriage, children, assets, and any specific issues or concerns you have.
- Legal Advice: Based on the information you provide, the attorney will explain the relevant laws and how they apply to your case. They may discuss potential outcomes, strategies, and next steps.
- Confidentiality: Everything you discuss with the attorney is confidential, even if you decide not to hire them. Feel free to be open and honest so they can provide the best advice.
- Opportunity to Ask Questions: You should use this time to ask any questions you have about your case, the legal process, potential costs, and anything else you’re unsure about.
- Discussion of Fees: The attorney will explain their fee structure, which could be hourly rates, flat fees, or retainer fees. Make sure you understand what you’ll be paying for and when payments will be due.
- Decision Time: After the consultation, you can decide whether to hire Fiegel Law to represent you. There’s no obligation to do so if you feel they’re not the right fit for your needs.
Remember to bring any relevant documents to your consultation and prepare a list of questions beforehand. This will help you make the most of your time with the attorney.
Contact Fiegel Law Today
When dealing with legal issues that affect your family and your life, you want to ensure you work with an attorney who understands what you’re going through and has the skills, knowledge, and resources to handle your case effectively.
Attorney Beau Fiegel and the legal professionals at Fiegel Law have decades of collective experience in family law and other legal areas. We have gained a reputation for excellence, and it shows in the results we get for our clients. For help with your San Antonio divorce or another serious legal matter that affects your life and future, contact us today to request a confidential consultation and learn how we can help.
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Client Testimonials
“If you need any kind of family law help, Beau is the just the man to help you. He has represented me in a few cases and I have never been disappointed whatsoever in any of the outcomes. As a matter of fact, every single time, I got exactly what I was trying to accomplish thanks to Beau. I highly recommend him!”
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